Device and method for suturing blood vessels and the like

Abstract

A method and device for sealing an opening in an anatomical structure within a living body includes an elongated member that is partially inserted into an anatomical structure such as a blood vessel. The inserted portion holds a plurality of needles, which are connected to a suture that travels through and out of the device. When the suture is pulled and drawn through the device, the needles are pulled through the vessel wall on opposite sides of the opening. The needles may alternatively be attached to a platform that engages the guide wire, the guide wire being utilized to deploy the needles. Once the needles are drawn fully through the vessel wall, the suture can be separated from the needles and knotted to seal the opening. Alternatively, the suture may be crimped using a crimping device. The device may also include a body designed to receive the needles.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for sealing an opening in an anatomical structure within a living body comprising: a longitudinal member including a guide lumen and at least one needle lumen;   a needle at least partly disposed within the needle lumen, the needle being connected at a distal end to a platform; and   a guide wire having a fitting coupled thereto, the fitting selectively engaging the platform;   wherein when the longitudinal member is placed over the guide wire and when the fitting and the platform are engaged, movement of the guide wire in a proximal direction causes movement of the needle in the proximal direction and movement of the guide wire in a distal direction causes movement of the needle in the distal direction.   
     
     
       2. The device according to claim 1, the longitudinal member further including a longitudinal needle chamber, the needle chamber having a proximal end, wherein the proximal end of the needle chamber is connected to a distal end of the needle lumens, and wherein the platform and the distal end of the needle are disposed within the needle chamber. 
     
     
       3. The device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of needles, wherein the at least one needle lumen includes a plurality of needle lumens, each of the plurality of needles being at least partly disposed in a corresponding one of the plurality of needle lumens. 
     
     
       4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the platform is cylindrical in shape, the guide wire selectively extending through the platform. 
     
     
       5. A device for sealing an opening in an anatomical structure within a living body comprising: a longitudinal member having a longitudinal guide lumen, including: a proximal portion extending from a proximal portion proximal end to a proximal portion distal end;   a central portion extending from a central portion proximal end coupled to the proximal portion distal end to a central portion distal end; and   a distal portion extending from a distal portion proximal end coupled to the central portion distal end to a distal portion distal end, wherein a plurality of needle channels extend substantially longitudinally therethrough from the distal portion proximal end;     a plurality of needles each connected at a distal end to a platform, wherein, in an initial position, each of the needles is at least partly disposed within a respective one of the plurality of needle channels; and   a guide wire having a fitting coupled thereto, the guide wire being selectively inserted into the guide lumen and the fitting selectively engaging the platform;   wherein when the fitting and platform are engaged, movement of the guide wire in a proximal direction moves each of the needles from the initial position to a deployed position in which proximal ends of each of the needles suture extend outside the corresponding needle channels.   
     
     
       6. The device according to claim 5, further comprising: a longitudinal suture channel extending through the proximal portion of the longitudinal member, and at least part of the central portion of the longitudinal member, the suture channel extending to a suture opening formed in the central portion distal end; and   a length of suture forming a suture loop and a plurality of suture segments each having a suture end, wherein each of the suture segments extends through the suture lumen, the suture opening, and a respective one of the plurality of needle channels, and wherein each of the suture ends is connected to a distal end of a respective one of the plurality of needles.   
     
     
       7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the distal portion includes a needle chamber extending distally, substantially longitudinally therein from a needle chamber proximal end connected to a distal end of each of the plurality of needle channels, and wherein the platform is located within the needle chamber and, when in the initial position, each of the needles is located substantially within the needle chamber. 
     
     
       8. The device according to claim 5, wherein the distal portion distal end includes a flexible tip. 
     
     
       9. The device according to claim 5, wherein a position indication lumen extends from the proximal portion proximal end through the central portion to a central indication opening located distally of the proximal portion distal end so that, when the device is delivered into the anatomical structure, a body fluid enters the position indication lumen when the device reaches a desired position. 
     
     
       10. The device according to claim 5, further comprising: a needle receiving body having a plurality of needle receiving lumens extending therethrough, wherein, when moved between the initial and deployed positions, proximal ends of each of the needles enter respective ones of the needle receiving lumens.   
     
     
       11. The device according to claim 5, wherein the proximal portion includes at least one needle receiving lumen extending therethrough to the proximal portion distal end.